A part-time doctorate designed for professionals committed to extending their understanding and improving practice
Researching Professional Practice
The part-time EdD is aimed at professional practitioners and those in related fields (e.g. policy, support or management), who are committed to extending their understanding and improving practice. For example, in the current cohorts there are school leaders, teachers, health professionals, university lecturers and also the University of Cambridge Head of the Disability Resource Centre and the Director of Academic Development & Training for International Students. Through their research students seek to generate, develop and disseminate professional knowledge and support innovation that will have social and educational impact.
Programme structure
Years 1-2: Attendance at research methods sessions aimed particularly at those interested in studying and improving professional practice. At the end of the 2nd year students submit their registration portfolio and attend a registration viva. Upon passing the viva they are formally registered for the EdD.
In the first two years there is a frontloaded blended research methods programme.
Years 3-5: Data collection and analysis and writing up. Termly sessions, particularly relevant to those in the upper year stages of their EdD, continue to be offered. At the end of the 5th year students submit their final dissertation and attend the viva.
Given the attendance requirement, students are normally expected to live within four hours travelling time of Cambridge. The EdD is not a distance learning programme.
EdD Research Communities
All EdD students, regardless of year, are invited to participate in a supportive Research Community in which they engage with other EdD students at meetings regularly held during the year. This is an important opportunity to learn with and from your peers as you explore the challenges and opportunities of research professional practice.
Information Sessions
Interested in applying for the EdD? Why not attend the Postgraduate Open Day.